The Most Inspiring Stories in St. Louis

The heart of our mission is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our communities. In the recent weeks, we’ve had the privilege to connect with some incredible artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with the incredible group below. Check out our favorite stories from across the Voyage family.

Kimberlee ‘Miss Kimberlee’ Johnson

My story has always been rooted in supporting people – how we engage with one another, how places shape us, and how we choose to show up in community. I’ve consistently been drawn to work at the intersection of people, purpose, and possibility. Read more>>

Caitlin Rosemann

I grew up in the small rural town of Cuba, Missouri, on a cattle farm that my family still operates today. That upbringing really shaped my work ethic and sense of community. I first became interested in dentistry through my own positive experiences as a child at Pediatric Dentistry of Sunset Hills with Dr. Hollander. Read more>>

Katie Fisher

We have been life long entrepreneurs. Michael started his entrepreneur journey while still in high school and while working at the Galaxy Movie theatre. When he was not working at the theatre he was doing concrete work. At 22 he went full time in the concrete flatwork industry and grow that business to later include waterproofing and foundation repair. Read more>>

Alyson Domoto

I grew up in St. Louis and was always an active kid—constantly moving and looking for an outlet for that energy. I started gymnastics at a very young age, and that eventually evolved into springboard and platform diving in high school and college. Movement was always a big part of my life. Read more>>

Phi Chanda

In Missouri alone, there are currently 39 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in circulation. Additionally, based on a survey we distributed last year, only 11% of students were aware of an active Gender and Sexuality Alliance on their campus, and less than half of respondents saw schools exhibit appropriate responses to LGBTQ+ bullying and harassment. Read more>>

Nathaniel Reid

I grew up in Ellington, Missouri and was originally interested in the natural sciences. When I started at the University of Missouri, I was studying biology with a focus on herpetology. At the same time, I was working in restaurants to pay my way through school. One night, the pastry chef left unexpectedly and I ended up stepping in to help—it immediately clicked for me. Read more>>

Arisha Conrad Aigner Roberts

So funny enough, this actually started with a phone call between us. One afternoon, Aigner called Arisha super excited after watching a video about opening a lemonade stand, and Arisha had literally just watched a video about the same thing. We both kind of paused and said, “okay… this might be a sign.” From there, we just went for it. Read more>>

Brandee and Corrine Oppelt

OppetGrooming is a mother-daughter business that came together in a way neither of them originally expected. Brandee began her career as a registered dietitian for the United States Navy. After retiring, she realized she wanted to spend the next chapter of her life doing something more hands-on with animals. Read more>>

Megan Kempf

Before entering the insurance industry, I spent many years working for a hospice company while attending night school to become a nurse. I was working hard to pay my way through classes, usually taking one or two each semester, but over time I realized I wasn’t happy and that the path I was on wasn’t the right fit for me. Read more>>

Mitchell Bennett

It started with my love for photography and my wife Katie’s growing passion for entrepreneurship. At the time, I was working a full-time job while Katie was home with our newborn. She saw an opportunity for us to earn a little extra income using my photography skills, and that is how our business began. For several years, it was a side business. Read more>>

Angela Brown

I didn’t start in this space because everything was easy for me—I started because nothing was working. For years, I did what most women are told to do. I ate “healthy,” exercised consistently, and followed all the traditional weight loss advice… but my body wasn’t responding. Read more>>

Devi States

My journey to opening Everest Cafe & Bar began with my professional work in the Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Division at the City of St. Louis Department of Health. As part of my role, I conducted community health needs assessments across the city. Read more>>

Chris Talley

I got married and started teaching banjo and fiddle in my home. Got so many students that I decided to quit my job as a legal secretary in St. Louis and teach from home. Students needed instruments, so I would help them get instruments. I was storing instruments in our house for several years. Doing instrument repairs on the kitchen table. Read more>>

Wilson M. Powell

Wilson M Powell , Woody ,as he is known, lived in Berkeley, California during the second world war.. He was the son of a nuclear physicist, who worked on the atomic bomb. During this difficult time, Woody identified with the soldiers who went to war. And when the Korean War began he signed up with the Air Force 1950. Read more>>

Joe Parisi

A lifelong St. Louis resident, I began my media career in radio, working my way up the ladder for a variety of stations, first as an intern, then a promotions coordinator, and eventually an on-air personality. I worked on-air at 106.5 The Arch, Movin’ 101.1, 93.7 The Bull, Z1077, KLOU and KDHX. Read more>>

Sharon Tobias

Angels Frontline began in 2013 with a simple goal: to make sure no individual or family rebuilding after crisis has to do it alone. What started as a small effort to meet immediate needs has grown into a trusted resource for people facing some of life’s most difficult transitions. Read more>>

Brandon Martens

I’ve always known I wanted to work for myself. Right after graduating high school, I didn’t take the traditional route—I went straight into building something of my own. Read more>>

Emily Miller

As a kid I was always trying to start a business or venture, whether it be a school newspaper, a band marching in the ‘Just Say No DARE parade, or ‘the Strawberry club,’ I was drawn to owning a business very early on. I spent hours in the woods and on my bike as well, always daydreaming and looking for adventures. Read more>>

Josh Boekesch

I started The Scene a little over a year ago after noticing there wasn’t really a consistent place to find info on local music throughout the week. There also wasn’t a place that was consistently showcasing various artists in the city. Read more>>